Proactiv Solution For Acne

[jmengert]

Hi, all--I'm one of the "lucky" people who has developed adult acne. I've tried several things, to no avail, and I don't want to go to a dermatologist yet. So I emailed Proactiv about being gluten-free, and they said there is no gluten in their products.

Has anyone used this? Does it work? Is it worth spending money on it? I'm hoping it'll work!

[jerseyangel]

Hi Julie--I used Proactiv for years. I loved it! I am now beginning to go through menopause , and my skin is much dryer and has stopped breaking out (finally!) I stopped using it last year. I only used the cleanser as an everyday thing. I used the repairing lotion when needed. It took trial and error to realize that the toner was too strong for me. I ended up having 3 of the cleansers delivered to me every 3 months--that's what worked best for me. I would suggest trying the whole regamin the first time to see what works for you. They are very good about tailoring the shipments to the products and timing that works best for you.

[Becky6]

Yep! It worked for me! I got awful acne while pregnant that would not go away afterwards. So, I finally broke down when my daughter was 6 mos old and bought some!

[tiffjake]

Has anyone used this? Does it work? Is it worth spending money on it? I'm hoping it'll work!

I used it a couple of years ago. It worked....but I got freaked out when I got some on my jeans and it (the moisturizer) bleached my jeans!!!! I didn't want to put anything on my face that bleached my jeans!!!!

But it did work.

[jenvan]

Patti--

Did you have rosacea when you used it ?

[jmengert]

That's great to hear from everyone; thanks for your feedback.

I had heard that it had bleach in it and could stain items; another cream I used did that and bleached my pillowcase from where my head slept on it at night--weird.

I think I'll give it a try! Thanks again, everyone!

[pinkpei77]

the reason in lightens your clothing, towels, pillowcases is because it has peroxide in it..

it does not have bleach in it.

i have gotten regular hydrogen peroxide on my bathroom rug before and it has lightend it.

if you get regular peroxide on your clothing sometimes it will lighten it also.

this is just a stronger % of peroxide.

if you just wait till your face is dry ( like 5 minutes) before you go to bed it is fine on your pillowcases.. i have bright pink pillowcases and have been using proactive for 2 years without them lightnening my pillowcases.

and wash your hands with soap and water before rubbing them on a colored towel.

i just have a stack of white washcloths and white handtowels that i use for proactive that way i dont have to worry about it.

[jerseyangel]

Patti--

Did you have rosacea when you used it ?

Yes. I did. I developed the rosacea during the time I used it. I don't *think* the Proactiv caused or had an effect, really, on the rosacea. (Although, who knows--maybe the cleansing grains over-stimulated my skin) There was a period where the rosecea got severe enough that I tried Metrogel (about 5 years ago)--I used it for several months, and that didn't seem to make a difference. I also did not have much luck with the newer over the counter cleansers/lotions for red/sensitive skin. Now, for the reasons listed above, I use a gentle, slightly creamy cleanser that is agreeing with my skin. Is your rosacea any better?

[francelajoie]

I use the stuff every day. It works great!!

Be careful cause it's true, it does bleach your clothes. It bleached the colar of my new jacket...grrrrr.

[jenvan]

France-

Didn't know proactiv bleaches--kind of scary!

Yes. I did. I developed the rosacea during the time I used it. I don't *think* the Proactiv caused or had an effect, really, on the rosacea. (Although, who knows--maybe the cleansing grains over-stimulated my skin) There was a period where the rosecea got severe enough that I tried Metrogel (about 5 years ago)--I used it for several months, and that didn't seem to make a difference. I also did not have much luck with the newer over the counter cleansers/lotions for red/sensitive skin. Now, for the reasons listed above, I use a gentle, slightly creamy cleanser that is agreeing with my skin. Is your rosacea any better?

I remember you mentioning the proactiv now Patti... I figured it probably wouldn't be good for my rosacea, but was curious, since mine is more of the pimply/bumpy kind vs. the flushing kind. Am going to see dermo #2 next week...just to get another opinion (not like it will change anything most likely, but makes me feel better ) Mine isn't really better--but it almost seems like its improving since I switched to the redness Eucerin cleanser and lotion. But I'm not really sure yet. I started back up on the probiotics this week too.

[tiffjake]

the reason in lightens your clothing, towels, pillowcases is because it has peroxide in it..

it does not have bleach in it.

You know, that makes sense. Peroxide kills germs, so perhaps they think that it will kill germs on your face(?) or in the lotion bottle so it won't go bad.....but still, the bleaching effect, it made me worry!

But the germ thing makes sense. My derm gave me an Rx for Clindagel, a topical acne gel, that is an antibiotic. She wanted to see if it was a germ reaction (like if you use a washcloth, you can be spreading germs back on your have every time you wash, if you don't change clothes between EACH wash).

I have also used Differin gel. I like it! It is drying, but it works. I just use a LITTLE BIT and only every other night.

[jerseyangel]

They address the "bleaching" on their website FAQ--

Will the benzoyl peroxide in Proactiv Solution bleach my towels or clothing?

Yes. As with all benzoyl peroxide products, you may find that Proactiv Solution bleaches or discolors towels and fabrics. So make sure you wash your hands after applying Proactiv Solution...and allow skin to dry completely before pulling a shirt or sweater over your head.

[HillaryT]

pro-activ works really good when you first begin to use it. ive used it for about 2 yrs but recently i feel as though my skin is becoming immune to it and its just not working how it used to. in the beginning though it worked wonders so go for it!

[katshow]

I'm suprised so many people have liked Proactive! My husband and I both tried it and it made our skin much worse. My skin may be a little sensative, but his is tough as nails and it made both of us break out like crazy! It made my skin SUPER dry, red and then I got more acne. I was not a fan at all.

I use a Clindamyicn gel now and that works great, but you do need a prescription for it.

Just thought I'd toss my two cents in!

[Mango04]

Does anyone have any other suggestions for acne? Maybe I should start another thread? I've tried acutane, Proactiv, lots of perscription stuff, Peter Thomas Roth, Elicina...basically everything...and I have to be on bc pills at all times or I break out in huge cystic acne all over the place. Yeah, it's pretty I'm kind of perplexed by the whole thing. There must be some imbalance in my body that needs to be addressed...but if anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

[DingoGirl]

Does anyone have any other suggestions for acne? Maybe I should start another thread? I've tried acutane, Proactiv, lots of perscription stuff, Peter Thomas Roth, Elicina...basically everything...and I have to be on bc pills at all times or I break out in huge cystic acne all over the place. Yeah, it's pretty I'm kind of perplexed by the whole thing. There must be some imbalance in my body that needs to be addressed...but if anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

I also have a wonderful case of adult acne! Comes and goes....so I went to the doctor and got Duac. Absolutely love it - cleared it up right away and I just use it every few days now. It is a little bit drying. My doctor gave me samples and I'll definitely fill the prescription if needed.

Good luck!